03-26-2009, 09:31 PM
[cool][#0000ff]You make some good points...about fishing being a contemplative sport. I have always referred to it as my "brain broom". A doctor fishing buddy, who lived under a lot of stress, used to say "You can fish...or you can worry. But, you can't fish AND worry."[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Zonker and I became close "cyber buddies" as well as forum friends. We sent a lot of emails and PMs that were often outside the lines of float tubing and fishing. I got to know him pretty well and respected him greatly.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Not many on the forum knew that he was a minister in his church, or that he was a prolific writer. He confided that going fishing by himself was the closest thing on earth he could find to direct communication with the Diety. He often used fishing as a means to relieve stress and to get inspiration...for sermons or for writing.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]He was a beloved father and grandfather, and in his later years got more enjoyment from taking his grandkids fishing than going alone...almost. Whenever he bought a new float tube it was already earmarked for a grandchild...after he broke it in.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Zonker was a skilled fly tyer and fly fisherman. Over the few years he contributed to the float tubing forum he posted many pictorial reports of his successes in flinging flies for different species...trout, bass and even carp. He loved 'em.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]During my long life I have known a lot of people who professed to be spiritual, but have never known anyone who lived his beliefs more consistently and unwaveringly. Some of his final words on the float tubing forum were that he was completely at peace with whatever was in store for him. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I wonder how I will handle my "death sentence" when my doctor lets me know that my days are numbered. I guess none of us can really know until we are faced with the certainty of our own mortality. I can only hope that my passing will be as gracious as Zonker's was. I think he has been a great inspiration to many...and many who did not even know him.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Zonker and I became close "cyber buddies" as well as forum friends. We sent a lot of emails and PMs that were often outside the lines of float tubing and fishing. I got to know him pretty well and respected him greatly.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Not many on the forum knew that he was a minister in his church, or that he was a prolific writer. He confided that going fishing by himself was the closest thing on earth he could find to direct communication with the Diety. He often used fishing as a means to relieve stress and to get inspiration...for sermons or for writing.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]He was a beloved father and grandfather, and in his later years got more enjoyment from taking his grandkids fishing than going alone...almost. Whenever he bought a new float tube it was already earmarked for a grandchild...after he broke it in.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Zonker was a skilled fly tyer and fly fisherman. Over the few years he contributed to the float tubing forum he posted many pictorial reports of his successes in flinging flies for different species...trout, bass and even carp. He loved 'em.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]During my long life I have known a lot of people who professed to be spiritual, but have never known anyone who lived his beliefs more consistently and unwaveringly. Some of his final words on the float tubing forum were that he was completely at peace with whatever was in store for him. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I wonder how I will handle my "death sentence" when my doctor lets me know that my days are numbered. I guess none of us can really know until we are faced with the certainty of our own mortality. I can only hope that my passing will be as gracious as Zonker's was. I think he has been a great inspiration to many...and many who did not even know him.[/#0000ff]
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